GM Confirms Eight-Speed Transmission for Half-Ton Pickups

After much speculation, GM confirmed it will be using a brand-new eight-speed transmission for the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 pickup trucks equipped with the 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V-8 engine (several full-size SUVs also will get the eight-speed).

The new electronic transmission, called the 8L90, will replace the previous 6L80 on select models, but it is likely to make its way (after some slight modifications) into the smaller 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V-8 as well. The only other pickup with an eight-speed transmission is the Ram 1500 that uses two different versions (the ZF 8HP45 and 8HP70, with a gear spread from 4.71:1 to 0.67:1) to accommodate Ram's three-engine lineup. There is no word about whether GM will offer a smaller, lighter-duty eight-speed to accommodate the smaller EcoTec3 V-8 and standard V-8.

GM notes that the new eight-speed will have an overall gear ratio spread of 7.0. This is likely to mean a much deeper first gear (possibly around 4.65:1) and implies that GM might be able to offer new gear sets to provide much better fuel economy while still offering strong towing numbers.

In a brief press release, GM said that the new transmission will still allow these new powertrains to adhere to Society of Automotive Engineers' J2807 towing standards, providing a segment-leading towing capacity of 12,000 pounds. GM's Toledo, Ohio, transmission plant will begin production of the new eight-speed in the fourth quarter this year and be available for 2015 models. Fuel economy estimates for the new powertrain will be released closer to the production date.

Late last year Ford and GM announced that they were working together on nine- and 10-speed transmissions (presumably for cars). At that time we caught a heavily camouflaged Ford F-150 heading out of GM's Milford Proving Grounds facility. Of course, it's possible the new F-150 could be doing something unique as well. No word whether GM or Ford will use something similar to Ram's rotary dial.

The available gear ratios for both 2014 Ram 1500 eight-speed transmissions are: 1st (4.71:1), 2nd (3.14:1), 3rd (2.10:1), 4th (1.67:1), 5th (1.29:1), 6th (1.00:1), 7th (0.84:1), 8th (0.67:1) and Reverse (3.30:1).

Available axle ratios for the 8HP45 (Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6): 3.21:1 and 3.55:1.

Available axle ratios for the 8HP70 (EcoDiesel 3.0-liter V-6 and 5.7-liter V-8 Hemi): 3.21:1, 3.55:1 and 3.92:1

From www.pickuptrucks.com by Mark Williams |

2015 Ford Super Duty F-450

Mark Williams, of Pickuptrucks.com, checks out the 2015 Ford Super Duty F-450.

All-new Ford F-150 takes on Ram and Silverado in an uphill towing battle

Even though the new 2.7L EcoBoost is up against much larger engines from Dodge and Chevy, it rises to the occasion in a grueling uphill competition.

2015 F150 Reveals Two Powertrains

We've been hearing about new all-aluminum 2015 Ford F-150 since the beginning of the year when it was revealed at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, but details on the truck's engines have been kept under wraps. Ford is now slowly beginning to peel back the layers of secrecy surrounding two of the F-150's powertrains, releasing some (but not all) specifications for the standard 3.5-liter V-6 engine and the brand-new turbocharged 2.7-liter EcoBoost motor.

The new standard V-6 will provide 283 horsepower and 255 pounds-feet of torque, enabling the base 2015 F-150 to tow 7,600 pounds and carry a payload of 1,910 pounds. This is a best-in-class tow rating for V-6 light-duty pickups, according to Ford. But the more interesting power option comes in the form of the new turbocharged 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6, which is rated at 325 hp and 375 pounds-feet of torque. It's as powerful as most other truckmakers' midrange V-8 engines and enables an F-150 equipped with the 2.7-liter engine to pull 8,500 pounds and haul a payload of up to 2,250 pounds. The company believes that this is likely to be its volume engine, comprising fully half of its expected engine mix. It makes sense, Ford said, given that 85 percent of F-150 buyers tow less than 8,500 pounds and carry a payload less than 2,000 pounds.

Ford demonstrated the efficacy of the new 2.7-liter motor through a comparison with three competitors: the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado with its midrange 5.3-liter V-8, the 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel with its 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V-6 and the 2015 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 (an unusual choice) featuring a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine.

The company showed a video at a special news conference at the company's headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., that showed the 2.7-liter-equipped 2015 F-150 out-performing the Ram EcoDiesel up the Davis Dam run in northern Arizona, and besting the Chevy in two out of three runs up the same steep grade while towing a 7,000-pound enclosed trailer. The Toyota was included as a demonstration of what the an engine of comparable displacement can achieve — the 2.7-liter EcoBoost produces 166 more hp and 195 pounds-feet more torque than the big four-cylinder in the Toyota.

Sadly, no fuel economy numbers were made available by Ford; those are likely being reserved for yet another press conference in the near future. Ford did, however, demonstrate something that the public has been asking to see for months — a direct weight comparison between the outgoing truck and the new one. Ford had two F-150 Lariat models on display, one a 2014 crew cab with the 5.0-liter V-8, and the other a comparably equipped 2015 model with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6. Both trucks were rolled onto electric scales, with the 2014 model weighing in at 5,674 pounds, while the new 2015 model totaled just 4,942 pounds, a difference of 732 pounds. Ford spokesman Mike Levine said that even if the 2015 had been equipped with a comparable 5.0-liter V-8, the difference would have been just 25 pounds less.

Stay tuned for more F-150 news and specs (hopefully including some fuel economy ratings) as the year progresses.

To see the video and the press release, click here.

Images from manufacturer

by Mark Williams, .www.pickuptrucks.com/

Chevrolet Trucks are Work-Ready

When you're ready to get the job done right, Chevy trucks are work-ready. Our diverse truck lineup offers outstanding performance, pulling power, payload, fuel options, innovation, safety and capability — all designed with your success in mind.

We offer diverse cab types and configurations to fit the job at hand, including standard, crew, and extended. Plus, they run on a wide range of alternative fuels, providing you with the value and versatility necessary to meet your business needs.

For more information, including locating a GM Medium Duty Authorized Service Center go to our GM Medium Duty Consumer website.

The Raybestos Rattlesnake™ 2014 Toyota Tundra is Ready to Strike!

Raybestos Brakes and Chassis have assembled an automotive dream team in the Phoenix desert to build a venomous off-road monster -- the Raybestos Rattlesnake™ 2014 Toyota Tundra. This desert sidewinder is carefully being hand crafted by Addictive Desert Designs, with help from the boys at Joe Gibbs Racing, TRD, Mickey Thompson, Dick Cepek and it's finished with a custom wrap created by world famous tattoo artist Corey Miller.

The best part, is that you can win it! Just enter at http://raybestosgarage.com/contest/ for your chance to win this monster of a truck!

Music:
Opening track: "Fausto's Flamenco"

Nissan Frontier Diesel Runner Hits the Road

Nissan just held its full-line preview for the auto media in Nashville, Tenn., and in attendance — thanks to Cummins engineers who drove it from Columbus, Ind. — was the same concept Frontier Diesel Runner we saw at the 2014 Chicago Auto Show. Even while filming our video of the concept, we saw people wandering to the display stand and drooling.

Since we didn't make it to Nashville we weren't able to take it on the short loop Nissan had setup for those interested in driving the Frontier. Thankfully, our friends at Green Car Reports did attend, and they had a few things to say about how it drove. They may not be truck people, but they enjoyed the little Frontier for its rugged torque and fuel efficiency.

They noted that Cummins still has more testing to do and possibly a few integration bugs to sort out, but overall the diesel Frontier offered a pretty good ride. Of course, much will be dependent on price for an engine option like this, and with a new Cummins coming in the next-gen Titan (set to debut at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in January), much will be riding on the acceptance of the 5.0-liter turbo-diesel V-8 before the little 2.8-liter inline-four-cylinder Cummins gets the green light for the next Frontier.

We hope to get a ride in the Nissan/Cummins concept soon, as well as the coming Titan and its new V-8 trubodiesel.

Images by the manfuacturer

Real World Testing: 2015 F-150

Two and a half years before production Ford secretly tested six prototype F-150s with high-strength aluminum cargo boxes. The goal was to prove the durability of aluminum alloy through real-world extreme experiences that ensured the new F-150 could stand up to the tough work of our customers.

Spied: Global Ford Ranger

GM is about to find out, with the addition of the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, if the U.S. market is interested in a small, less expensive and relatively versatile little pickup truck. Some analysts say that much will depend on the pickups' price, and depending on the customer reaction, other small truckmakers will be ready to respond. We've always thought the global Ford Ranger was a strong player, but Ford has said that the Ranger's price and sales volume wouldn't work in the U.S. and that's why it's not available here. Of course, it never hurts to be ready just in case.

This report from our spy shooters in the Rocky Mountains seems to bear that strategy out.

"We recently caught Ford engineers testing a prototype of an updated global Ford Ranger in the mountains of Colorado. The face-lifted prototype captured here gets a new front fascia and the camouflaged interior (partially revealed) shows that the interior is also getting some attention.

"The midcycle face-lift could be seen as a new chance for Ford to better tailor the Ranger for U.S. tastes — just as GM overhauled its global Colorado pickup specifically for the U.S. market. Of course, it would be very interesting to see the Ranger hit the U.S. market in light of the increased focus on smaller trucks from GM, Nissan and a new Toyota Tacoma likely in the works. But we know that's unlikely.

"With Ford's attentions and investment centered on launching the new aluminum F-150, and developing a thoroughly overhauled Super Duty lineup, it's unlikely that a U.S.-spec Ranger is very high on the priority list for Ford's U.S. product planners. Of course, if the compact pickup segment started to take off, however, one wonders how long it could continue to ignore this market segment."

KGP Photography images

From www.pickuptrucks.com

The PAW Box by Rack-it Keeps the Critters Out Of The Garbage

Gary Kank of Rack-it Inc. shows us a completed and ready-to-ship PAW Box, which stands for Protecting Area Wildlife. Rack-it began making these several years ago in the Lake Tahoe area with great success, and now are available nationwide. http://www.rackitinc.com

8 Ways to Use a Truck Rack

When most people think of truck racks, they envision contractor's trucks -- often beat-up pickups with precariously mounted metal racks in their beds. While truck racks are well suited to a contractor's needs, they are also very versatile, practical accessories with many different uses.

To give you a taste of why truck racks are so popular among pickup truck owners, here are 8 ways to use a truck rack.

1. Hauling ladders and lumber.
As already noted, truck racks are the perfect solution for a contractor's needs. Strong ladder racks provide a way to haul ladders and lumber horizontally without hanging them off the end of the bed. Painters, auto glass installers, and similar professionals may also find that truck racks make it easier to haul their equipment and supplies.

When purchased to suit a contractor's needs, truck racks need to be very sturdy and reliable. Most likely a rack that features a permanent type of installation will work best for these purposes.

2. The cyclist's best friend.
Cycling is a popular sport in many areas, but unless you have an awesome network of bike routes in your city, you probably have to drive to get to the trailheads. Therefore finding a way to haul bikes is an issue for many people.

Truck racks make a great way to haul bikes -- much more appropriate than some of the other options, such as trunk racks for sedans. While bikes tend to bang around a lot when hung on the end of a trunk, truck racks enable you to secure them better -- often without having to take off the front tire, either.

3. Hitting the slopes.
Skis are another piece of sports equipment that is large and unwieldy, making transportation difficult. Leaving your skis loose in the bed of the truck to rattle and bang around isn't good for either your skis or your truck, and most sedans don't have enough room inside to carry skis safely. Truck racks and roof racks for sedans and SUVS solve this problem by enabling you to fasten your skis securely to the rack.

4. Four-wheeling glory.
Four-wheelers and ATVs -- small vehicles that people often drive on trails and across rough terrain in parks and open space -- are another type of sports equipment that must be hauled to your destination. Believe it or not, you can haul ATVs on truck racks and ladder racks -- the racks are made to withstand heavy loads such as an ATV, and keep the vehicle level and steady during transportation. Truck racks also make it fairly easy to load and unload ATVs, giving you more time to have fun when you reach your destination.

5. Carrying kayaks and canoes.
There is seemingly no end to the sports equipment that can be hauled on a truck rack! For obvious reasons, kayaks and canoes need to be transported to your destination, unless of course you live in Venice or happen to have a river running through your backyard. No matter how graceful these boats are in the water, they are heavy and unwieldy out of it. Truck racks provide a strong, secure method of transporting kayaks and canoes from point A to point B!

6. A place to put your luggage.
Whether you are taking your family on a road trip or run a shuttle service, truck racks and roof racks for vans and SUVs provide a great place to stash luggage. If you have four or more people in your family or if you have full occupancy in your shuttle, interior space will be at a premium, so why not move some of the luggage to the exterior? Luggage racks can help cut down on sibling squabbles during road trips -- or, for the shuttle owner, they can help to create a more organized and professional appearance to appeal to riders.

7. Saving space with cargo boxes.
Even when you are not taking a road trip or taking on passengers, space inside a vehicle -- particularly a truck -- is at a premium. Just thing about all the things you take with you when you leave the house -- things that quickly pile up inside the car -- and you will understand what I mean.

A truck rack offers a practical solution to this problem, as it can carry a couple cargo boxes. Instead of keeping things you rarely use inside the truck, you can put them inside the cargo boxes, and save the cab space for more important things -- like your friends and family.

8. Just for looks!
Of course, you really don't need to have a practical reason to put a truck rack on your truck. Many people buy truck racks just because they like the way they look. Many truck racks -- such as certain models of headache racks -- are compatible with light racks and other truck accessories, making them ideal choices for anyone who wants to improve the appearance of their truck.

Whatever reason you have for wanting a truck rack, you have every reason to be happy with your investment - truck racks are some of the most versatile and useful accessories you can buy!

 By Andy West

Andy West is a freelance writer for BuyAutoTruckAccessories a website offering a huge selection of Truck Accessories at the lowest prices.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_West

Mission Valley Ford Truck Sales - A Rack-It Dealer in San Jose, CA

Mission Valley Ford Truck Sales is a Ford truck dealership selling and servicing Ford trucks since 1986 in San Jose.  We carry Ford’s great line of trucks, SUV’s and crossover vehicles, as well as Jerr-Dan tow trucks and car carrier trucks.  Mission Valley is also an authorized engine dealer for Detroit Diesel, Caterpillar, and Cummins diesel engines.   We are also an exclusive UD™ truck dealership for Silicon Valley and Northern California.  Our dealership resides on over five acres of property at the Brokaw Road exit of Highway 880 in San Jose, CA. We are dedicated to commercial trucks and the businesses and individuals that utilize them. Pickup trucks, cargo vans, flatbeds, van trucks, parcel delivery vans, dump trucks and yard tractors are our specialty. We sell, repair, and get the right parts for any truck size or configuration you can imagine. And we carry Rack-It Pickup truck racks.                                    We have the experience and best people to be competitive and efficient in a demanding and fast-paced business climate–making us a great partner for your company.

Mission Valley Truck Center - 780 East Brokaw Road - San Jose, CA 95112 (408) 933-2300

CargoGlide Work

CargoGlide sliding bed products make your work easier, faster and safer. Whether you are hauling tools, equipment, supplies, or materials, hauling or storing your work resources is always better when you have a CargoGlide to help you do it. www.cargoglide.com

GMC Canyon Top Segment in Power

New midsize trucks raise competitive bar

• ·         Standard engine rated at 200 horsepower, 191 lb-ft of torque
• ·         3.6L six-cylinder rated at 305 horsepower, 269 lb-ft of torque
• ·         Max trailering capacity rated up to 7,000 pounds

 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado Top Segment in Power

DETROIT – The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon will have the most horsepower in the midsized truck segment when they go on sale this fall.

The Colorado and Canyon’s available engines provide customers choices to fit their varied lifestyles. The 2.5L I-4 has been rated at 200 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque, while the 3.6L V-6 is rated at 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque.

The Colorado and Canyon will also provide class-leading maximum trailering capabilities, with the capacity to tow up to 7,000 pounds when properly equipped. That’s more than enough to take a truck full of friends, gear in the bed, and a trailer full of toys to your favorite weekend adventure.

Each engine features direct injection and variable valve timing to make the most of power and efficiency. Both engines are based on proven engine designs found throughout the General Motors’ family, but are optimized for the demands of truck use with the latest technology for improving performance and efficiency. This includes torque at lower RPMs for better towing power and a more confident feeling while pulling a trailer.

Both engines are matched to a six-speed automatic transmission; a six-speed manual is available on select extended cab 2WD models. The six-speed automatic is tuned specifically for the truck engines, offering features like auto grade braking and tow/haul mode.

“Every decision we made considered the wants and needs of midsize truck customers. The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon are engineered to deliver class leading horsepower,” said Anita Burke, vehicle chief engineer for Midsize Trucks. “Not everyone needs the size or the capability of a full-sized pickup. Now customers have a viable option in a smaller package.”

Class-leading horsepower also comes with efficiency, courtesy of dual-overhead camshafts with variable valve timing, direct injection, and jet-spray piston cooling, while aluminum blocks and forged-steel crankshafts ensure a long-life cycle.

The Colorado and Canyon will be assembled at GM’s Wentzville, Mo., assembly plant with start of production in fall 2014.

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.9 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

About GMC

GMC has manufactured trucks since 1902, with innovation and engineering excellence built into all GMC vehicles. The brand is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain small SUV and Acadia crossover. GMC’s highest-volume vehicle, the Sierra 1500 pickup, is the most powerful light-duty pickup on the market.  Details on all GMC models are available at http://www.gmc.com/, on Twitter at @thisisgmc or at http://www.facebook.com/gmc.

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Rack-it Aluminum Rack - Only 75 Pounds of Added Weight!

Our aluminum Rack-it rack it only adds 75 pounds to the truck.

Rack-it aluminum rack is one tough, heavy duty rack that can take what you dish out for years on end and still look great. The bed of some pickups are now aluminum, it may be time to look at an aluminum rack. It will add minimal weight to your truck, saving you fuel!

The aluminum rack comes powder coated in silver color to set it apart from the standard black steel racks. 

To find out more, you may call Rack-It truck racks at 800-445-7666.

Also find us at http://rackitinc.com/